Celebrating Dr. Bolu John Folayan @ 55
By Babatope Babalobi [email protected]
Bolu John Folayan was born in Igbotako, Okitipupa Local Government, Ondo state. He attended Manuwa Memorial Grammar School, Iju-Odo, Ondo State (1976-1981), Manuwa Memorial Grammar School, Iju-Odo, Ondo State (1976-1981), and University of Lagos where he acquired three degrees– a BSc, MSc. and PhD in Mass Communication in 1987, 1991, and 2010 respectively.
Journalism is his forte. He was a student of Journalism, a manager of news hounds, a Journalism teacher, and a communications scholar and researcher, with interest in Strategic Communication and Media Convergence.
He started practising Journalism from primary school as a member of the Schools Press club. Upon graduation, he worked as Sub-Editor in Radio Lagos- 1987, later -Reporter/Assistant News Editor (Arewa Desk), Daily Champion- 1988-1993, and rose to the profession’s highest level as Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Newswatch magazine, once the flagship of magazine journalism in Nigeria. He has lectured Journalism in three universities and a polytechnic in Nigeria. He also briefly worked in the corporate world as Group General Manager (Corporate Affairs), NICON Group of Companies in 2008.
He presently teaches Journalism in Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State where he also heads the Mass Communication Department. Previously, he had lectured Journalism in University of Lagos, Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji, and Osun State University where he was named Lecturer of the Year by Communication and Linguistics Students Association, Osun State University, Ikire campus.
Outside the ivory, he has authored over 10 academic books including ‘A Practical Guide to Corporate Communications: For Students and Professionals, 2011;HIV/AIDS Communication Handbook: For CSOs, CBOs, FBOs, NGOs, PSOs, Government Institutions and International Agencies; and A Practical Guide To Journalistic Writing,2015 -described by a reviewer as a must read for every journalist.
His published Journal articles include: ‘Can Nollywood Save Nigerian Children from an Impending Mass Society?’ and ‘The Perception of Gratification by Lagos Reporters’.
A Professional, he is member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, (NIPR), Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria, (ACSPN), Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE).
Dr Bolu rose to international limelight as a teenager, winning a Certificate of Excellence issued by the West African Examinations Council (1984) for being the Best Advanced Level GCE student in West Africa region comprising 16 countries.
An egg head, he also won the Babatunde Jose Prize – University of Lagos (1987) for being the Best Graduating Student in News Writing/Journalism.
A devout Christian and worker in Four Square Church of Nigeria, yet religiously tolerant as some of his closest friends – Dr Mumini Alao of Complete Football and Hon. Afolabi Ayantayo- Special Adviser (Parastatals Monitoring) to Lagos State Governor, are of the Muslim faith.
Dr Bolu holds family values dearly. He is the headmaster of a dream beehive of beauties, comprising his Mass Communication graduate- wife, and three queens.
Happy birthday, long life and prosperity.
Babalobi was Dr Bolu Folayan’s classmate, Mass Communication Department, University of Lagos, 1984-87.
February 6, 2020